Best Cordless Pole Saw for Pruning Branches Beyond Arm Reach

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Your yard trees need occasional pruning to get rid of shrubs, broken branches, and thin-out dense limbs. Certainly, this is not a simple job, especially when you have several tall trees. You can use a ladder to get the higher branches, but it is unwieldy, and you need to be careful about your safety. For your safety, it's better to buy the best cordless pole saw.

A pole saw is ultimately a chainsaw attached to a long pole. If you are pruning small to medium-sized yards, you can pick the pole saws that allow you to prune higher tree branches while standing on the ground. Thus, it makes your pruning job safer and more comfortable.

With the market being overflooded with pole saws, it might be overwhelming to choose the right one for you, especially if it is your first time purchasing them. To help you out, we compiled a top cordless pole saw reviews buying guide and vital information that will help you through the buying process. Let's begin!

1. BLACK+DECKER (LPP120) 8-Inch Cordless Pole Saw

BLACK+DECKER 20V Max Pole Saw, 8-Inch (LPP120)
  • BLACK+DECKER electric lawn and garden equipment including...
  • 20V Max Lithium Ion battery of the electric pole saw has a long...
  • 20V Max Lithium Ion battery of the tree trimmer pole saw provides...
  • 8-inch cutting bar and chain allows for a maximum cutting...
  • Center extension allows for a useable Length of 6.5 feet or 10...

If you are looking for the best cordless pole saw that is easy to handle, consider the Black+ Decker LPP120 Pole Saw. The battery-operated pole saw comes with a pole that has a maximum adjustable height of 10 inches with the help of the 3-piece setup. Therefore, you can easily prune branches at over 14 ft. Besides, it has a 20V lithium-ion battery which has the longest lifespan from other similar products on the market, plus it holds the charge five times longer than any other.

The Black+ Decker LPP120 Pole Saw features an 8-inch cutting bar and chain that you can use to cut a 6-inch diameter branch. The in-line power-head feature usually offers easy movement and visibility when cutting branches. Moreover, it is easy to disassemble and transport it to any worksite as you wish, plus it comes with a casing that allows the bar to store the chain oil and other parts.

The package comes with one cordless pole saw, battery, charger, blade oil, and wrench. In addition, the manufacturer offers a 2-year limited warranty on chargers and cells.

Pros:

  • Easy to handle pole saw
  • Easy to disassemble and transport
  • Has a long-lasting Lithium-ion battery life
  • Offers a 2-year limited warranty on charger and cell

Cons:

  • Batteries take a long time to charge.

2. WORX WG323 (2-In-1) Chainsaw and Electric Pole Saw with Auto-Tension

WORX WG323 20V PowerShare 10" Cordless 2-In-1 Electric...
  • [12’ EXTRA REACH] It takes just a few minutes and no tools to...
  • [FAST, CLEAN CUTS] This cordless 20V PowerShare chain saw is as...
  • [DO IT ALL WITH THE SAME BATTERY] Worx Power Share is compatible...
  • [AUTO-CHAIN TENSION] The automatic, tool-free chain tension...
  • [AUTO-CHAIN LUBRICATION] The automatic chain lubrication system...

Worx WG323 20V cordless Pole Saw comes in two; one electric pole saw and chainsaw. If you are looking for the best pole saw that is multipurpose, you can bet on this model. This cordless saw comes with an impressive 20V battery that allows you to make fast and safer cuts in hard-to-reach areas. It also comes with a telescoping pole to extend up to 10 ft. to reach higher spots. For cutting large branches on the ground, you can easily remove the chainsaw from the pole and use it separately.

This electric pole saw saves you money since you don't have to buy a new chainsaw for other cutting needs. It features an auto-tension and automatic oiler that minimizes the maintenance required to keep the pole saws in good running condition. Additionally, the auto-tension keeps the chain in the chainsaw tight for a safer and cleaner cut, plus it prevents the snapping of any loose chain or stuck in the woods, so you don't have to go digging the equipment to keep the chain tight while working.

Conversely, the auto-lubricating feature ensures the saw runs smoothly and minimizes the friction when cutting the stronger branch. This feature enhances the life of the saw and minimizes the cutting vibration. In addition, the pole saw is lightweight and has a compact design. Therefore, you can cut a longer period without getting exhausted and maintains the balance for accurate cutting.

Pros:

  • Multipurpose pole saw
  • Features auto chain tension and lubrication
  • Faster charging
  • Lightweight and efficient pole saw

Cons:

  • Pole easily wobble when fully extended.

3. Oregon Cordless Pole Saw with Telescoping Pole-(PS250)

Oregon Cordless PS250 8-Inch 40V Telescoping Pole Saw...
  • Constant no-fade power thanks to the 40V premium lithium ion...
  • Starts instantly, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of...
  • 8 inch bar has a compact cutting head which allows you to reach...
  • Work comfortably thanks to the PS250’s ergonomic design. The...
  • Extendable reach – You can extend the shaft up to 10.1 feet and...

For the best battery-powered pole saw, we recommend the Oregon 40V Cordless Pole Saw. The cordless pole saw comes with a 40V Lithium-ion battery that offers you enough power to handle most of your yard maintenance tasks. You can easily adjust the saw's pole length between 7 and 10 feet, depending on the task at hand. Furthermore, the pole saw is made of fibreglass with sufficient rigidity plus the build quality is great.

You can charge batteries steadily up to 1,000 times without losing their capacity and make about 750 cuts on a 2-inch to 3-inch diameter branch on a 6 Ah battery. Besides, you have the option to select the battery rating of 6 Ah, 4 Ah, 2.6 Ah. However, the larger battery capacity makes the pole saw a little heavier.

You should select the battery capacity depending on the cutting needs. The 8-inch bar features a compact cutting head design that allows you to reach faraway branches. Additionally, the 40V cordless pole saw is well-balanced and gives you an accurate cut.

The mid-mount motor on this battery-powered pole saw makes it less bulky and enhances stability, improving manoeuvrability when pruning dense branches. It features a shoulder strap for extra comfort. Furthermore, the chain is sharp straight out of the box.

Pros:

  • Lightweight, powerful motor
  • Features shoulder strap for extra comfort
  • Comes with an ergonomically designed pole
  • Features fast-charging batteries

Cons:

  • Expensive saw.

4. Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Pole Saw-18-Volt Lithium-Ion

Ryobi ONE+ 8 in. 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pole Saw...
  • Over 100 ONE+ Tools – All work with any RYOBI ONE+ 18V Battery...

Another best cordless pole saw worth your attention is the Ryobi One+ Pole Saw. This saw is a compact model that has the right balance between power and size. The powerful motor offers enough power for the saw to handle thick tree branches and limbs. In addition, you can extend the pole length up to 9.5 ft. long without affecting its performance or weight distribution. Besides, the pole saw, when extended, makes it much easier to get higher tree branches.

With this pole saw, you don't have to use a ladder. The 8-inch bar and chain can trim through branches up to 6-inches in diameter without hassle. It is equipped with an in-line motor and angled cutting head that offers you great flexibility to trim even in tight spaces. Furthermore, the automatic oiling functionality on the bar and chain offers you extra convenience when operating the pole saw, hence reducing the maintenance time needed to take care of your tool.

The cordless pole saw the battery get fully charged in less than 30 minutes. This ability is very useful as it reduces the wait time if you want to charge the Lithium-ion batteries to complete the unfinished task. Furthermore, this pole saw is a great substitute for a gas-powered pole saw since it has no emission or generates any awful smell or heat, plus it comes with a 3-year warranty.

Pros:

  • Operate on low noise and vibration
  • Fast battery charging
  • The 8-inch bar and chain can trim through branches up to 6-inches
  • Features an automatic oiler functionality

Cons:

  • Pole easily wobble when fully extended.

Factor to Consider When Buying the Best Cordless Pole Saws

1. Weight and size

When shopping for the best cordless pole saw, weight and size should be part of your consideration in such tools. The size and weight usually affect your performance greatly. If a saw is too heavy for you, you won't be comfortable using it, considering it is a handheld tool. Therefore if you can't hold up the saw for long, then don't buy it.

Gas-powered pole saws are usually the heaviest type of saw, so if you want something lightweight, go for cordless pole saws or corded electric saws. However, most cordless pole saws on this list are lightweight; therefore, you don't have to worry about a heavyweight.

2. Source of power

When shopping for the best cordless saws, you realize that the market is flooded with the battery-powered pole saw and gas pole saw. The gas pole chainsaw comes with a tank for gas in which you can refill while working on the yard. It is portable the same way as the battery-operated saw; the only main drawback is that it is much heavier than battery-powered models.

When it comes to battery-powered saw, a higher amperage battery doesn't necessarily last long, although it has more cutting power. Conversely, the lower ampere battery lasts long but has less power. Furthermore, it means that the higher amperage battery requires frequent recharging. So, to not waste time recharging, we recommend you go for an output of about eight amps.

3. Battery life

Battery life is also another vital factor to consider when shopping for the best cordless pole saws. It is important to ensure that the saw you choose has long battery life. Besides, no one loves having to stop in the middle of a task to recharge the batteries. Before you buy the saw, ensure that you get vital information on its average power unit life. Also, look for a fast charging charger that can recharge the battery quickly within 30 minutes.

4. Safety 

Prioritize your safety when working with machines; otherwise, you might end up being seriously injured. For example, when buying pole saws, ensure that they have safety features like a soft-grip handle that allows you to have a tight grip when holding the pole saw up over your head.

When using these saws, ensure you cut branches away from your body, wear a safety helmet, protective glasses, and gloves. We also recommend wearing long work pants and non-slip work shoes.

5. Cutting capacity

It requires you to use a lot of effort to trim those thick and high branches off. The best cordless pole saw usually helps greatly for trimming in a precise way. This saw can be a considerable option if you want to cut branches and trees from a long distance. Besides, it is designed with a rotating chain for easy cutting, plus you can use it with long pole saws to do the pruning for trees afar.

6. Pole length

The best cordless pole saw comes with an adjustable pole length. The more you can adjust the pole, the higher branches you can reach and cut. However, if you are working on closer trees and branches, opt for the shortest length. If you opt for a very long pole, ensure it is lightweight. The weight would help you control the movement of the saw.

7. The angle of the cutting head

The angle of the cutting head you pick should depend on the task at hand. Cutting heads fixed at an angle is perfect for cutting a tree branch vertically. It is ideal because the tree branch is usually parallel to the angle of the head. The main advantage of this feature is you can trim in tight spaces easily. Nonetheless, the feature doesn't apply to horizontal cuts.

8. Ease of maintenance

Before purchasing pole saws, it is important to consider how easy it is to maintain the tool. Most times, oiling the bar and chain is what you need to do for the cordless models. Therefore, it is best to buy a battery-powered cordless pole saw that is easy to oil. Conversely, you can buy a saw with an automatic oiler, so you don't need to oil it yourself. The maintenance with these models is effortless.

9. Price

Lastly, consider the price of the saw. Purchasing a cost-effective pole saw does not necessarily mean the best-priced or the highest value models. Therefore, before spending on a saw, consider how you want to handle the project, what you want to use it for, then choose the best value within your budget. Ensure the investment is worthwhile for the long run. Also, ensure it is reliable in quality with a competitive price.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Cordless Pole Saw

1. Are cordless pole saws suitable for newbies or DIYers? 

Yes, they are not complicated tools to operate. Therefore a newbie can easily operate it as long as precautions are in check. However, if you have zero ideas of how to use the tool, read the manual. It is also a decent option for a DIYer who wants to do the garden task over hiring a gardener.

2. Are battery pole saws suitable for trimming?

Yes, battery pole saws are usually great for that purpose. They are lightweight, portable, and suitable for beginners and professionals who look forward to trimming and maintaining their yard instead of hiring a gardener.

3. What diameter of a branch can a pole saw cut?

The maximum diameter of a branch that a pole saw can easily cut is about 8 inches. However, there are those pole saws that reach between 15 feet.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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